Penelope Cruz starred in Pedro Almodovar’s Volver and the two have collaborated once again in Broken Embraces, a drama about infidelity and redemption. This Spanish film is told from the perspective of Harry Caine, a blind writer, who is forced to deal with past pains 14 years earlier when he was directing what was to be his last film.
Broken Embraces is a character-driven drama starring Lluís Homar,Blanco Portilla, José Luis Gómez, Rubén Ochandianoand Penélope Cruz. The film’s narrative progression is a little confusing at first, but all the pieces eventually come together as each character’s motivations are explored and alliances are made. Lluís Homar plays Harry, a blind writer formerly known as Mateo, a promising film director years earlier. Lena, his lead actress and muse played by Penélope Cruz, is his desire and the two enter into a torrid love affair behind the back of Lena’s “partner”, Ernesto (Gómez). Ernesto watches the two from a roving peephole intently as his son relays behind-the-scenes footage as part of his documentary.
Broken Embraces has a similar story to Fellini’s 8 1/2 with a focus on a director, a film and a muse. Which is quite interesting because Penélope Cruz recently starred in a supporting role alongside Daniel Day-Lewis in Nine, a musical film adaptation of 8 1/2. The film was even referenced in Broken Embraces, making a direct parallel with Fellini’s classic. Another admirer of Fellini’swork is David Lynch, renowned auteur of dreams and nightmares.Mulholland Drive broached the same relationship between film, director and lead actress with the prospect of a film within a film.
The plot functions like an extension of the primary relationship from 8 1/2, Nine and Mulholland Drive. The lilting soundtrack is similar to the music of longtime Lynch accomplice, Angelo Badalamenti. Broken Embraces gives Almodovar a chance to embellish and really sink his teeth into the collateral damage of a behind-the-scenes love affair. He’s able to explore the peripheral relationships, building up to one cataclysmic event that started the trail of retribution and healing process for each character.
Homar is like Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier in many respects. His face, his physique, his affinity for art and culture and his love for women. However, he’s more serious and contemplative, relying on the support of others and trying to make the most of life as a blind man seeking an outlet for his creativity and passion. Cruzis reminiscent of to Audrey Hepburn in appearance, physique and even performance as she gracefully carries herself across the screen with a spellbinding performance as the elemental Lena. She may show more skin, but captures the same aloof royalty thatHepburn imbued, with a performance even more deserving of appreciation than her role in Nine.
This is a beautiful film. Almodovar captures some real emotional turmoil in all the familial relationships in Broken Embraces with strong performances overriding any inconsistencies in the narrative. The back-and-forth time warp jolts the film a bit, but this is about the emotional currents, the characters and the drama rather than relaying a monumental message. The film may have its flaws and does harp on for ten minutes too long, but captures real vulnerability through its behind-the-scenes story and contrasting spectrum of love.
The bottom line: Absorbing.
Screenplay with Spling
Stephen ‘Spling’ Aspeling
www.spling.co.za
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